Central Banks
Basel releases consultative document on capital disclosure
Proposal could see banks complying with new disclosure requirements from the date of publication of their first set of financial statements relating to a balance sheet date on or after January 1, 2013
South Korean won slips following Kim Jong-il’s death
Death of North Korean leader causes South Korean won to hit two-month low against dollar and sterling; world waits to see how youngest son will handle succession
UN and US lift sanctions on Libyan central bank
UN Security Council and US government announce removal of sanctions on Central Bank of Libya's assets
Bank of Canada appoints new special adviser for Carney
Evan Siddall to become senior representative for financial markets at the Toronto regional office; will also sit on Monetary Policy Review and Financial System Review committees
BoE Quarterly Bulletin reports market deterioration
Bank of England Q4 report notes financial market sentiment and functioning decline since last bulletin
Bini Smaghi shares thoughts on monetary system reform
Lorenzo Bini Smaghi talks about shortfalls of international policy co-ordination and looks at ways to improve it
IMF working paper on bank competition
Researchers look at effects of intermediation technology on banking competition and financial stability
Caruana presses importance of central bank balance sheets
Jaime Caruana explains how central bank balance sheets have been forced to change during the financial crisis; says medium-term risks require attention
Renminbi to be reserve currency in less than five years: CB.com poll
A poll of CentralBanking.com readers finds most believe the Chinese currency will account for more than 5% of global reserves in less than five years
Czech Republic holds off euro entry
Czech Republic will not join single currency until at least 2015 after central bank and finance ministry urge government not to enter Exchange Rate Mechanism II next year
Robert Pringle’s Viewpoint: What future for European banking?
Policymakers urgently need to form a clear, strategic position on the future of banking in Europe as well as a roadmap on how to get there. This may require the nationalisation of major European banks
Bank of Japan launches Twitter account
Bank of Japan advances internet offerings by launching a Twitter account; joins several other central banks in ‘tweeting’ key information
Liquidity crisis did not alter settlement method: Cleveland Fed paper
Cleveland Federal Reserve study shows liquidity risks to net and gross settlement systems had little impact on payment methods
RBI signals end to tightening cycle
Reserve Bank of India leaves interest rates on hold and says it is likely to loosen monetary policy next on expectations of moderation in growth
South Korea takes heed of US sanctions on Iran
US Senate passes bill containing strict new sanctions affecting Central Bank of Iran; South Korea government warns businesses of implications
Noyer blasts ratings agencies on Twitter
Banque de France verified Twitter page publishes stream of comments from governor Christian Noyer; criticises credit ratings agencies and slams UK economic performance
Hungarian government proposes banking regulator merger
Hungarian parliamentary committee sets out amendments to National Bank of Hungary law that will merge institution with financial regulator; move would see governor Andras Simor demoted to deputy head
Draghi explains extraordinary policy measures
ECB president sets out the reasons behind governing council’s decision to cut the benchmark interest rate and introduce three measures to support bank lending and liquidity in the eurozone